Hot Rods Newb here. I bought an old hot rod shop

I found this this morning

 

If it is the Crestliner Vicky in your pictures it’s a ‘52 or’53 by the dash, as a ‘54 dash is different. Nice score!

 

I've heard that the crestline was the top of the line for the coops at that time is that correct? It came with a three-speed which is rebuilt and ready to go in. Tons of new parts for the car as well. I also have all the parts that came off of it. The interior is in excellent condition. And very little rust. Do you consider that a somewhat desirable car for Ford enthusiasts?

 

Yeah, the hardtop Vicky is the top of the heap; other than a convertible. Seems ‘52 and ‘53s are starting to come into their own ; after lagging for a lot of years.

 

Where does the term Vicky come from?

 

Victoria

 

Welcome to the from the PNW. Son, you done hit the jackpot ( found the mother lode that is, won the lottery). Congrats.

 

Thank you for that. I wasn't sure what I was looking at when I first got them. I'm learning. The motor in the country squire is a beast. It sounds amazing! He built that as a daily driver so the small carburetor is on there but he did a lot of work to that engine.

 

The Crestliner is a 52 by the 3 piece back window. 53’s were one piece.

 

But are pretty obscure in the US, I doubt Citroen even bothered trying to export them back in the day, there are very few cars more "un-American" than a 2CV...

 

I've had that Citroen for 15 years. Great little car. Super fun to drive but definitely underpowered. I've got a BMW r1150 engine to go into it. It directly bolts in with an adapter kit from Sparrow racing in England. That would take it from 25 horsepower up over a hundred. Then it's a Miata killer lol! The whole car weighs about 1200 lb.

 

Very cool! So, what is your plan for all of this? Starting a shop, or just gonna work on old cars for fun, or???

 

I've worked on old cars motorcycles bicycles and all modes of transportation since I was a kid. But I never got into flatheads. Most of the stuff I've worked on was mid-60s and up.

I have a hundred projects that I'm currently working on I'm sure lol. I may end up just selling the flathead stuff and cars and staying focused on what I've been doing.

 

Avoid thumbnails, hit the "Full Image" button.

 

I have never found an actual explanation for the name Victoria. I know it started in 1930 and the Body Line continued into 1939. All these bodies were built outside the Ford plant by subcontractor's. It stopped due to the War years and came back in 1951, again a special body being only on the 2 door hardtop models but I believe those and forward were done in Ford plants. My avatar is a Vicky and like yours you'll notice there is no top door frame or A post up to the roof line.

 

That's a good explanation. So my car was made in a Ford plant?

 

wasn't it homage to the queen at that time when it was FIRST used--the 'bustle'

 

To the best of my knowledge yes.

 

The 1950 Crestliner was Ford's answer to the slew of GM hardtops (I Think).

 

...The '50 Crestliner wasn't a hardtop. Ford didn't debut the Victoria "hardtop" until '51 as Chevy had marketed one in '50. Some say that Ford used the existing convertible body to create a quick hardtop, but that debate still takes place.

 

Oh that's something completely different... Go for it.

 

I have stopped trying to explain to the nay sayers that a Vicky and Convertible share the same Body parts. I have proven to myself being I happen to have both a 51 Vicky and 51 Vert that body parts are the same overall. You also have to understand there are some differences in 49 to 50 Verts as is the 51. Not everything is Nutz-n-Boltz crossover. The basic 51 Body shell and Doors are exactly the same. There are some accommodations to make it a Vert the Vick doesn't have installed but easy enough to do. Frame rails front to back are the samd but the Vert has a monster X member the Vick doesn't have. The Vick has a reinforcement strap skip welded to the bottom of the rails from the front body mount to the front of the rear spring hanger. One could assume the 52 Vicky played by the same rules but I've only owned 1 53 Vicky and no 52-54 Verts. One thing about Henry, he was very thrifty and predictably unpredictable.

 

Welcome to the HAMB .
Cool place You have bought.